Looking for Inspiration!

chile_paul

Hi all,

I'm looking for some ideas and inspiration for a small bed that we currently have (more or less) empty in the front of our property.

The bed was cleared last year as it was full of Ground Elder which I've painstakingly cleared and left empty for a full growing season to catch any bits of roots that I had missed. I'm now getting ready for planting, but need some inspiration of what to put in!

The house faces to the N West and is heavily shaded by some large trees on the roadside, so plants will need to be able to deal with shade.





I'm thinking of putting in a dwarf acer (but don't want anything that is going to block light into the front winder), but struggling with what to plant with it.

In terms of colours, looking for whites, reds and purples and ideas that will generate year round interest.

Any ideas gratefully received!

-taff

Year round interest, something evergreen.
Did you want something useful that you can use in the kitchen? If so, bay bush/tree [green all the time] rosemary might survuve there [I've put some in places you wouldn't think would], sage [looks a bit bedraggled in winter but survives], chives, come up every year but die back, Quince bush [loses leaves]. Savory or thyme [ the latter will stay green], sunflowers, chamomile to cover [ dies back a bit] , spinach/lettuce/bright lights chard.
That's my contribtuion of edibles

unrecordings

As far I'm aware Acers are slow growers. I've got a Japanese Maple in a shady spot that's only grown a few inches in the seven years I've been here

I'd go for some Lavender and see how it fares, or maybe Heather
Ferns might look nice and are perfect for shade but they'll wreck your block paving after a few years if they spread

sheramber

Wet shade or dry shade?

What type of soil- acid, neutral or alkaline?

Is the soil sandy, clay etc?

do you need plants that can withstand frost?

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=100